Starting Friday I wrestled about doing a 911 post. I didn't want to. I don't want to
do a post that is a reminder of something unpleasant. I vowed when I started that
I wanted my posting to be positive and uplifting, minus any negativity. But I realized
that certain aspects of 911 can be a positive story. It is a story of hundreds of
men and women that laid down their lives for total strangers. It's a story of a country
that when faced with a most unimaginable and incomprehensible evil, united together
with strength and resolve to combat these forces. It's a story of hurting peoples who
at the loss of their loved ones has found the ability to face all their tomorrows without
those loved ones. Oh, I have to admit like you, I still can't wrap my mind around the
fact that another human being could feel so much hate and have so much evil in their
heart that they could want to take the lives of innocent people just going about their
work on a beautiful September day. But I am thankful that I can't comprehend
this and may I never have a heart to be able to .
On Sept.9, 2011 I began my morning as usual. I went to work at the Shell gas station/convenience
store that my husband and I had just bought 2 months prior in northern Canada,
having just moved here from our home in the US. We were
fortunate to have our home in the back and on 6 acres in a country setting. Everything went
along as usual. We were very busy in the morning with people heading into the city for work.
Sometime shortly after 8:30 my husband came in and told me one of the customers had told
him a plane had flown into the World Trade Center in NY. I was quite surprised, but thought
it was a small plane probably with someone who maybe had a heart attack or a plane malfunction.
After all, who could think anyone would purposely fly into a building? Since our home
was attached to the business, he suggested I run over and turn the news on. I did. It didn't
take long to register that this was no small plane and it wasn't any accident. Before I could
get back over to tell my DH so, I watched as a second plane hit the second tower. I couldn't
believe it. I ran over to the station crying, "We're under attack, someone has purposely
flown those planes into those buildings!" I was crying, he just stood there in disbelief.
All through the morning we took turns going back and forth between the house and
the station keeping the other posted about what was happening. Our dear customers
were coming in expressing their sorrow and support, as Canadians to me an American.
I know it sounds crazy, but I wanted to be there. I wanted to be back in the US. There
was no rhyme or reason to my feelings. I just wanted to be there to somehow fight
back against these evil doers. I knew there was really nothing I could do if I where there,
but it was just my gut reaction. DH and I ended up doing what I sure so many of you did- pray.
It's been 10 long years now. But we must never, never forget. Not only the precious lives
that were taken that day, but the lives of the men and women that are on battle fields now
as a result of that day. These fallen soldiers should be honored for laying down their
lives as a result of 911 and their families sacrifices acknowledged , as well.
I just say "thank you" to all who have kept our countries safe.
Please take a moment when you have time to google: Gander, Newfoundland.
As I said, my new Canadian neighbors expressed their love and support for
the USA immediately. I have since heard of this small community where 38
planes were diverted on 911 and over a thousand people from 93 different
countries had to be housed and fed during this time. It's a wonderful story of
how this small community pulled together to unexpectedly 'entertain strangers.'
Blessings,
Blessings to you today Kimberly, I had similar feelings about posting today because I didn't want to give any satisfaction to the enemies who perpetrated this travisity on us. I appreciated your post and like you, I too, try to always be postive and encouraging on my blog. I am going to good Gander. Thank you so much for posting this. Hugs, Noreen
ReplyDeleteAny post about good neighbors is uplifting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes! like you I was praying.
ReplyDeleteI will google Gander...never heard that story before.
...Flying my flag, Pat
I live in the US and I still can't wrap my mind around the thought that there is still people who will plot revenge to kill innocent people.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, Kimberly - I had completely forgotten about Gander and the hospitality that they showed to so many who were stranded.
ReplyDeleteWe all were affected, the entire world grieved for us, and the small community of Gander showed their support by offering help to strangers. I appreciate your reminder about this!
I understand your hesitance to post 9/11. It was my day to post the bread for the journey on Mennonite Girls Can Cook and I struggled with it all week.
ReplyDeleteHow can any of us feel adequate in expressing our heartfelt sorrow for what happened.
Being on the west coast. ...we had a phone call from our son who starts work very early here in the day. He woke us up and we turned on the TV in our bedroom and watched it unfold.
So sad.
Last night we watched the show on TLC that told of the two heros that would't quite rescuing people.
There are always good things that happen, even in these very sad circumstances.
I take comfort in the Human Spirit..the love and kindness we extend to each other regardless of religion, gender, citizenship.
ReplyDeleteAs an American I am at a loss to understand the hatred towards our country.
We extend everything we have to everyone....
Thank you for posting your story.
ReplyDeleteTen years ago I wouldn't have read it. But today, I'm ready. I'm finding, the more I read stories about that day, the more I'm appreciating the huge loss and impact it has on us today.
Thank you for sharing.
So many stories - no one will ever forget that day or what they were doing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this~ I still cannot fathom the hatred and malice displayed that day...it is beyond my comprehension. But I am filled with choking pride at SO many people that demonstrated the OPPOSITE...they showed love, courage and bravery.
ReplyDeleteI actually have the video about the Canadian neighbor community in Gander. It's a PBS video, and I show it to my Intro to Psych class as an example of the phases people go through when under stressful situations. The students always find it really moving.
ReplyDeleteThat was such a sad, horrific day. I'll never be able to forget it, although there is much about it that I wish I could. Like you, I can't imagine someone with so much hate inside them. It is beyond comprehension for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your thoughtful post and your support, Kimberly. As a new Yorker I know the story of the kind and generous people of Gander, Newfoundland, who took so many displaced airline passengers under their wing, sort of say, and helped them while they were stranded after 9-11 until the airspace was open again. It is so wonderful that Canada and The USA have such a long and strong friendship!
ReplyDeleteI, too, made a promise to myself that my blog would be a positive place and struggled with honoring 9/11, but having lived through it, chose to post a subtle tribute. Thanks for bringing Gander and their noble gesture to my attention. It's so inspiring when communities pull together to help each other out, even more amazing when continents do it. Thank you, Gander.
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